What do you like best about the product?

Airtable’s best feature is the way it strikes that hard balance between form and function. I love how it takes a platform I'm already quite familiar and comfortable using for advanced requests Sheets/Excel and combines it with database functions and automations that are not only powerful, but easy on the eyes. Airtable bases and interfaces are gorgeous. I'm a huge fan of color coding and Airtable's UI is quite pleasing to work with for extended periods of time. I love how easily you can link records between tables to create incredibly detailed and layered databases and eventually, more robust and comprehensive data analysis and reporting. The interfaces and formsa are also game-changers and a huge upgrade to my previous go-to -- Google Forms. The custom dashboards are great for presenting information to folks that aren't dealing with the day-to-day data entry/clean-up and/or aren't as data-oriented and jsut want to see the big picture. Plus, the automations are a game-changer, especially for repetitive tasks like sending updates or reminders. I use Airtable exclusively and it has completely elevated my working style and my career aspirations. Airtable is so intuitive that it's made data-driven

What do you dislike about the product?

One of the things I dislike is the limited permissions system. It's incredibly rigid and there isn't really a cost-effective way to share databases with non-paid users who need to make quick edits 1-2x per year. Airtable would benefit from more features/access for non-paid users invited to a specific interface or base, especially for those managing sensitive or varied data. Another weakness is the lack of built-in customizable PDF exports. Right now, to generate a PDF in Airtable, you need third party apps that can be quite costly and aren't all that user friendly. (The over reliance on these apps is also frustrating because it defeats the purpose of having a "one-stop-shop" for data/project management needs.)This makes it quite difficult to generate professional-looking reports from the tables or interfaces. While Airtable has some basic charting options, it’s not built for deep data analysis. Additionally, as your base grows, performance can start to lag, especially if you’re managing a high volume of records with lots of complex formulas or linked tables. Lastly, some advanced functions, like certain types of automations or conditional logic within forms, still feel limited compared to a full-scale database system.

What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?

A major issue that Airtable solves for me is how it smoothly merges the familiarity of spreadsheets with the functionality of a database, making it easy to create dynamic, layered systems that support complex project and data management. The platform’s intuitive, visually appealing interface and color-coded options keep it engaging to work with for extended periods, which is important in my line of work. Airtable has simplified data linking across tables, transforming what would have been multiple scattered documents, spreadsheet tabs, etc. into a single, cohesive system that I can also share. The custom interfaces and dashboards are perfect for presenting data to stakeholders who just want the highlights, while automations take care of routine tasks like reminders, freeing up my time for more strategic work. Overall, Airtable has not only streamlined my workflows but has also aligned with my career goals by inspiring and fostering my interest in data analysis in higher education administration.